STAC|Tom

hi guys. ive decided to post on this forum as i know you guys are extremely helpful. so one day i turn on my computer. i did not do any single changes inside my box so this is why i find it weird why this all happened. my computer would start up, would detect the monitor like 5 seconds after usual time, and it would just be blank . . . :S. If i manually turned it off, it would switch off as soon as i touch the power button(when comp is working i would hold the button for like 3 seconds). the day before this happened, so i constantly turned it on and off in frustration and i got lucky. it started running normally. however a few of the times where it would work, i can see that sometimes the pc caught the monitor, but everything seem scrambled ( just like how a crappy tv aerial would look on channel 5). i pressed F1 to see if it would pass(because that is what i would press to get windows actually starting) and it changed screen however it still had the scrambled picture. Now, TODAY, i woke up, and now its happening again, however chances seem that i cannot get it to boot normally like i did luckily yesterday. Guys, I really need help on this 1. thanks to anyone who tries to help. look forward to your reply

SeraphicSorcerer

Seems to me like the video Card may be acting up, do you have a spare you can test with?

If you do not please try and "blow out (via compressed air) Your computer as dust/buildup may be causing heat to deteriorate the card. (Although if this has happened the card is pretty much gone for at the very least 3D Acceleration)

Also the fact that you got it to "boot" but monitor goes blank is usually an indicator.

Try a different card.

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STAC|Tom

yeahh i would SOMETIMES get a windows box open like weeks ago saying my card isnt recieving enough power for its potential or something like that. but i ignored it as it seemed my computer was running fine. So you think its my graphics card? you dont think it could be ANYTHING else?

SeraphicSorcerer

the only other thing it may be is your power supply, OR a stuck power button but as you indicated your video scrambled I would be checking the video card first.

Let me clarify that I don't think it's the first two options as anytime video scrambles it's the card doing the rendering.
As I am not physically able to see what you're describing I can only go off what you see, but this kinda stuff happens. I've had it happen to some of my old cards, If the text looks "weird" or if the Screen goes Beserk 9/10 Times it's something to do with the card, Either the fan isn't spinning, it's overheating (and therefore artifacting) or the actual chip has gone bad (most likely due to heat) Power supplies can sometimes cause weird issues, but normally your system won't stay powered on it'll cut off or restart and you should hear the startup beep a second time, as for the stuck power button I've seen OEM cases do it, but I am sure if your monitor goes blank and your computer is still going it's not that either.

I still stand by find a Video card to test out. preferable the same kind as you have (meaning a fellow ATI or Nvidia)

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Tyrsonswood

It could be lots of other things, but you have to start somewhere. Power supply could be another possibility but check video first........ Do you have access to spare parts for testing?

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STAC|Tom

well i just checked the video card, cleared all the dust on that, everywhere else. still same results. i have no access to other parts . the video card fan is still spinning as i can feel it when i leave my fingers under it too. such a random fcukover

Tyrsonswood

I'd do a thorough cleaning and re-seat everything, RAM, cards, power & drive cables, etc. Will it boot off a CD?

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OldBuzzard

Your symptoms are a CLASSIC example of a failing PSU.

It's on it's last legs, and it WILL fail soon if you don't replace it.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

STAC|Tom

it would not boot from a cd . psu or graphics card? :S